Counter Offer

Had an offer from Deloitte for a 20% salary increase at my current level (Manager). My current company are offering to match the salary with a view to try to get me through the promotion round for SM at some point in the next year if I stay. My consideration on this is that it's not salary that has lead me to look elsewhere. Any thoughts on Deloitte? Any experience with counter offers?

The counter offer isn't a recognition of value, it's a reaction to losing what they were undervaluing and a knee jerk reaction at that. The counter offer wont suddenly secure your loyalty again, but it will buy them time to replace you.

Whatever led you to look elsewhere (and secure the offer from Deloitte) will still be there if you accept the counter offer.

Throw in an unsubstantiated promise (promotion at some point, change of role, or location) - all something which can be looked into, discussed etc. If they can't guarantee it, they are enhancing the counter offer with empty promises.

The bonds of trust are now broken in your current firm whatever you do. You are now the one who was interviewing elsewhere. From now on every dentist, doctor or childcare appointment you have will be interpreted with suspicion. You can't be in the inner circle now, in case you learn things which you will take with you. And you will be leaving - they're already talking about replacing you because they are already deciding how to function seamlessly without you.

Your ship has sailed out of harbour now - it's much further to swim back to shore than you think.

Take the Deloitte offer, and besides, life is too short not to dive in to a new adventure with a 20% salary increase.

Have to agree with Mars. It's also a well-known trend that people who stay after accepting a counter offer have usually moved on within a year. Either because the reasons for thinking about leaving in the first place hadn't really been addressed; or the breakdown in trust from you having toyed with leaving couldn't really be papered over. So move on, as Mars says. Hope that helps and good luck!